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Vehicle safety record

1990 Geo Metro Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 1990 Geo Metro with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (19) and the seats & seat belts (12). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 3 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1989 has 29 and the 1991 has 51.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Metro year, for its age

#44 most complained-about 1990 vehicle

Complaints
39
Recalls
2
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Most common 1990 Geo Metro problems

Share of all 39 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1990 Geo Metro recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Seat belts: buckle assembly

95V103007466,902 vehicles affected

The problem
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
The risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.

Latch

93V189001356,097 vehicles affected

The problem
Mislocated attaching spot welds of the hood striker assembly cause cracks to start on the hood inner panel. If cracks occur, the hood striker assembly may not properly engage the hood latch when the hood is closed.
The risk
An improperly engaged hood latch may result in a hoodfly-up while the vehicle is in motion. This would obstruct the driver's viewand could cause a vehicle crash.
The fix
Gm dealers will (a) install two bolts and nuts to secure the striker assembly to the hood inner panel, and (b) ensure that the hood latch assembly fasteners are properly tightened.

What owners say

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39 complaints about the 1990 Geo Metro

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Seats & seat belts

Inquiring about whether recall # 95v103007 is an actual recall .

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 10011458
Body, doors & structure

The door latch handles stay up when opened. I have 2 door handles doing this, the front passenger side & rear driver's side. When the doors are openen the handles stay up and when the door is pulled shut the door will not latch. The window has to be rolled down and the handle pushed down to latch door. Note: this is not a poor lubrication problem. It may improve slightly, but only temprorarily. If the passenger thinks the door is latched it will open suddenly when the vehicle turns risking fall out of passenger or property or personal injury liability from the door swinging open.

Filed Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 9004455
Engine & cooling

Engine is burning oil while driving, and smoke comes out really badly. Driver can't see traffic behind her. Consumer feels unsafe. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 861153
Body, doors & structure

While vehicle was being driven at 75 mph, latch on the hood on driver's side broke, causing the hood to fly up and break windshield. Driver was able to pull to shoulder safely. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Hood and windshield have not been replaced. Consumer believes that there was a recall on the hood latch years ago, but is unsure as to whether or not it was done. *Ak *ml

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 857690
Lights

The headlights and dash lights went out while driving. The dash lights came back on but the headlights did not. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *Ak

Filed Exterior lighting · Interior lightingNHTSA 849053
Body, doors & structure

HOOD LATCH STRIKER BROKE AFTER TWO YEARS. *AK

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 843775
Seats & seat belts

Dealer has not honored nhtsa recall 95v-103.007/Manufacturer's recall 91c-52, concening seat belt buckle failure since august 10, 1997 up to the present. Consumer has been told on serveral occasions that the kit has not been received, or they would contact consumer when it arrived, need nhtsa's help in this matter. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 841380
Body, doors & structure

It's been 1 month since contacting the dealer concerning hood latch assembly recall. Hood latch is broken so badly that the entire hood needs to be replaced. The dealer is giving me the run around. I've called them 3 times already this week. The dealer is saying that they need approval to repair it and that the main office is checking to see if recall is still in effect. I've been having to drive my car for a month fearing that the hood will fly up and cause an accident. *Ak

Filed Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 707687
Engine & cooling

Excessive co emmissions. A tsb was issued on this problem.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 780260
Seats & seat belts

SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 525469
Body, doors & structure

While driving 60 mph, the hood latch released, causing the hood to go in the upright position which caused no visibility and a broken windshield. *Ak *slc

Filed Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 818958
Seats & seat belts

Received notice (395v10300). Called dealer & set up an appointment. Took vehicle in. Dealer had vehicle for over 2 hours before informing owner they had no parts for vehicle. Would have to get parts from another dealership, if they have any. Not satisfied. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 817479
Seats & seat belts

The driver's side seat belt doesn't restrain the driver. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 813861
Body, doors & structure

Structure of the hood assembly latch recall number 93v189001, consumer had the work corrected in aprilof 95 and on feb 27, 1997 when operating the vehicle the hood flew up. *Ak

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 809494
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

Head rest failed to provide proper support in accident, causing head injury.

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 513736
Seats & seat beltsCrash

During a frontal impact accident at 25 mph, front seat belt failure was experienced. The seat belts did not lock in place upon impact.*Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 803175
Engine & cooling

OIL PLUG LOOSENED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 507634
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

During rear end collision, while stopping,, drivers' seatback rest broke, then collapsed rearward, resulting in an injury. *Ak

Filed SeatsNHTSA 985114
Seats & seat belts

Consumer side seat belt doesn't restrain. Please describe. *Ak

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 985510
Body, doors & structure

Hatchback pistons will not properly support the weight of the door. *Sd

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 505318
Seats & seat belts

Seat belt attached to door, causing driver to be ejected from car when door opened during accident, causing injury. *Dh

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 505098
Body, doors & structure

Experiencd outside door lock malfunction, rendering doors inoperative from outside when all doors won't open with key. *Ak

Filed Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 985257
Body, doors & structure

Performance chevrolet 93c21/93v189. Owner seeks assistance in having recall repair honored. After three months parts are not available. *Ak

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 985098
Body, doors & structure

Hood latch broke, causing hood to open while driving, prior to recall.

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 504872
Lights

DOME LIGHT STAYS ON. *DH

Filed Incident Interior lightingNHTSA 504651

Geo Metro: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199469071Seats & seat beltsD
199351160Body, doors & structureC
199255160Body, doors & structureC
199151271Body, doors & structureD
199039250Body, doors & structureC
198929240Body, doors & structureB
All Metro years

1990 Geo Metro vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1990 Geo Metro3925C
1990 Geo Storm46311CCompare
1990 Geo Prizm3815CCompare
1990 Geo Tracker2513CCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1990 Geo Metro

Does the 1990 Geo Metro have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1990 Geo Metro: buckle assembly (May 1995); latch (November 1993). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Geo Metro?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (19), seats & seat belts (12), engine & cooling (3).

How many complaints has the 1990 Geo Metro had?

39 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 18, 1995 and the latest on March 26, 2003. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1990 Geo Metro a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 59 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Geo Metro year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Geo Metro years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1990 Geo Metro has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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